CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has urged his players to “excel” at Hartlepool tonight and hand him a selection headache.

Howe pledged to make switches in personnel for the League Cup trip to Victoria Park (7.45pm) following the Premier League victory at West Ham on Saturday.

The likes of club-record signing Tyrone Mings and keeper Adam Federici are among those yet to feature for Cherries in a competitive game.

And Howe has challenged those selected to impress him.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “We’re going to make changes, how many I don’t know at this moment in time but we’re quite prepared to back the squad.

“We did the same last year and for me it’s not fielding a weakened team, it’s just giving players an opportunity to play.

“This is an ideal platform for those guys that are champing at the bit to express themselves.

“When you go to Hartlepool on a Tuesday night you know you aren’t going to be in for an easy ride and I think Ronnie Moore has done a magnificent job given how they have started the season.

“You are looking for people to grab their chance and excel.

“We hope that the people that come in do well and give us plenty to think about in terms of team selections.”